Right now I have 18pc of LGB R2 curves and 4 LGB R1 turnouts (R,R,L,L) I have done lots of testing in the house with this track and had zero issues running my Bachmann 4-6-0 with x3 box cars and x3 JS coaches no derailments issues except from my sisters kid or my dog lol, anyway…
This track works fine for what I have and what im planning to get, a couple more Bachmann 4-6-0’s and an Aristo 2-8-0 C16… question is…
Should I hold off on laying track in my back yard and get some R3 curves w/larger turnouts just incase… I doubt Ill get anything bigger that would require larger curves but who knows [%-)]
checking the weather I have a decent week’s worth of 40’s-50’s days ahead of me so I could actually get some work done… cant deside what to do
ALWAYS use the biggest curves possible on your railroad. Even equipment meant for smaller curves will look and run a lot better. Turst me. About a year ago I was thinking of going with 5’ diameter curves, but decided to go with larger 8 foot diameter curves and I have never regreted it. Same goes with turnouts. I am currently using LGB 1600’s but want to start using the wide #6’s.
I think it would be well worth the wait and get bigger curves and wider turnouts.
You should stick to the ten wheelers and LGB locos with the 4 and 5 foot diameter curves and switches. The C-16 says it can run on 5 foot curves but really likes them bigger.
I dont see any reason why i couldnt just stick with the 10 wheelers I mean I have 1 now and 1 more on the way (ordered that Durango & Silverton passenger set UPS should be dropping it off later today [:-^] ) plus there are 2 more that im wanting plus plus an undecorated one [dinner]
I mean I like the looks of the Aristo C16 over the Bmann 4-6-0 wood burner but I probly would have gotten them both anyway so ill just forget about the C16 as I have been iffy about it since I started debating between the two engines. Im sure that I can dress up the bachmann to my liking [:D]
since the lgb track is going outside looks like the craptastical bachmann track will get some use in my living room soon [:P]
Oh… What about the Bachmann 2-8-0 Consolidation? Could it handle R2 curves? Also how does the size compare to the 4-6-0’s?
I think Brian ment to put an IF on the beginning of that sentence.[;)]
I also agree get the widest curves you can accomodate, the current Big Hauler is too me actually a better engine than the now out of production C-16, AC is reissueing it with a new “improved” drivetrain sometime next year, how much improved remains to be seen.
Bachmann Connie WILL run on 5 foot diameters but by all accounts it HATES doing so. groans and squeeks it way thru them, the old C-16 will run on R1’
Mr Ash - I have a Bachmann 2-8-0 Outside Frame Consolidation and I ran it on a large LGB R2 indoor oval layout all last Christmas (~ 3weeks) without hearing any squeaks or groans. It pulled a consist of 4 the Jackson Sharp passenger cars plus several feight cars as well (my granddaughters love gondolas - they can load people and small stuffed animals into them). I was initially concerned having read so many cautionary statements about R1 / R2 curves in the forums, but was pleasantly surprised.
Now having said that I am aware that Bachmann engines do not always have the exact same width between wheels as their manufacturing tolerances are apparently not held within very tight limits (based this conclusion solely upon what people have measured on their models). So it is entirely possible that some 2-8-0 Connies could have slightly wider wheel gauge (even on just one axle) then others and might thus be a bit less comfortable on R2 curves.
PLEASE PLEASE do NOT use any less than R3 curves and turn outs, it may run on small radius but the torque you are putting on the moter well need I say more if you go for small radius I hope you have deep pockets for repairs 2-8-0 runs very well on R3 mine as run for 3 years and not derailed once but when I first had it I had a R1 turnout and it fell off every time[:)] Hope this helps
There is a big difference from running indoor on a hard level floor from running outdoors on the less than level ground with loose ballast, twigs, acorns, etc. A dip in the track at minimum radius can mean derailment problems. Also, as you can read from the various posts here on the Connie, it does not have the strongest drive train to start with. Making it grind along on sharp curves will only hasten its potential failure.
The connie is a great looking loco (not mine here) -
Merr you guys got me racken my brain even more than normal! I got off work late and get home all “Im going to lay some track yeehaw!” and read all of this! Merr! Okay Okay Ill get some R3 curves, idk about turnouts most larger LGB ones im finding at online stores are R5 though there are some R3’s on ebay… IDK… Ill find somthing…
What am I saposed to do with all the LGB track I already got? (18 R2 curves x4 R1 turnouts LLRR) [%-)]
And if I keep that for indoor’s what about all the bachmann track? (24 curves 16 straight)
Oh yeah plus I got a circle of LGB R1’s coming with a starter set I ordered for my dad to play with my sisters kid when im not home [#dots]
And now I gotta spend more for a bigger curve… lol I have missed model railroading [:D]
Its okay though, Im not doing it for the Annie’s… or the C16… Im doing it because that Bachmann K27 make’s me drool and I know ill buy one if I have the cash lol that or my evil credit card making me buy it! [:-^]
I know I want one and I know I would want to do more with it that just have it sitting ontop of my fireplace… I wouldnt get it untill I was done with all my track and if i couldnt run it because of the curves… [:O]
Well that was strange, I was surfing Ridge Road Stations online store and they just happened to have 8 pieces of LGB R3 curves instock lol that wasnt there yesterday! Thats so wierd though I hope they actually have it! I ordered what they had plus smore detail parts for my Annie’s (Headlight visors & marker lights waahoo!) [:D]
Mr Ash, all of the above advice is excellent, but…
THousands of potential garden railways have remained just that, potential, because the would-be builder was waiting for the perfect
bargain
radius
sale
loco
weather
location
incentive
mood
the PERFECT track plan
etc etc etc etc…
You get the picture.
You have track.
You have locos & stock
Get outside NOW!
Enjoy what you’ve got, learn some hard lessons, get some valuable experience but have fun. The sooner you get your stuff out in the open the sooner you find out what a fantastic feeling it is to run trains at dusk, in light drizzle, standing in the shade on a stinkin’ hot day,…
…and the sooner you learn that the PERFECT
track plan
bargain
radius
sale
loco
weather
location
incentive
mood
etc etc etc etc…
doesn’t exist but you’re having a ball anyway. Later, change, upgrade, go bigger, go wider but!
I think Brian ment to put an IF on the beginning of that sentence.[;)]
I also agree get the widest curves you can accomodate, the current Big Hauler is too me actually a better engine than the now out of production C-16, AC is reissueing it with a new “improved” drivetrain sometime next year, how much improved remains to be seen.
Bachmann Connie WILL run on 5 foot diameters but by all accounts it HATES doing so. groans and squeeks it way thru them, the old C-
